Royal Enfield has hiked the prices of the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 for the first time since they were launched back in November 2018. The increase of 2 percent (around Rs 6,000) affects every variant of the 650 line-up.

The updated price list is only going to be a temporary one, as the 650s are most certainly going to witness another price hike when the models become BS6 compliant. The BS6 Continental GT 650 spied testing last month had an exhaust modification that, we are certain, will increase the cost.

MV Agusta operates in India under the umbrella of its local partner, Motoroyale, and the group has just launched the Turismo Veloce 800 at Rs 18.99 lakh. We first got news of the sports-tourer arriving on Indian shores early this year, but it seems like the bike’s launch took longer than expected.

Now that it is here, let’s take a look at what it has to offer. MV Agusta calls the Turismo Veloce “the everyday F3” and that’s because the sporty characteristics of the bike outweigh its touring side. Powering the bike is a 798cc, three-cylinder motor that makes 110hp at 10,150rpm and 80Nm of torque at 7,100rpm. MV also claims that 90 percent of torque is available from as low as 3,800rpm.

Internationally, the Turismo is available in four variants – Standard, 800 Lusso, Lusso SCS and a limited-edition RC SCS. For now, we’ll only have the standard variant on sale here. That’s not necessarily something to complain about as it’s still a well-equipped motorcycle – it gets a fully adjustable 43mm Marzocchi USD fork and Sachs monoshock. It also gets an up-down quickshifter and an eight-level traction control system. Braking, meanwhile, is handled by Brembo – 4-piston calipers working alongside dual 320mm discs at the front, and a two piston caliper and 220mm disc combo at the rear. The Turismo gets a rather impressive fuel tank capacity of 21.5 litres, but a very low ground clearance of just 140mm.

We’ve also been told that the Lusso is available on order and that the SCS will make its way to India next year. In case you’re wondering what the other variants have in addition to the standard model, the Lusso variant comes with added aids like cruise control, luggage panniers and a Sachs USD fork. The SCS, on the other hand, stands for Smart Clutch System - it essentially allows for clutchless operation, allowing for you to come to a standstill or start from one without having to use the clutch.

In India, the Turismo will compete in a segment with bikes like the Tiger 800 XRx (Rs 13.39 lakh) and the Multistrada 950 (Rs 12.84 lakh). However, at Rs 18.99 lakh, it’s much more expensive than its direct rivals.

The LiveWire’s motor produces 105hp and 116Nm of torque, which helps propel the bike to 100kph in a claimed 3secs. The LiveWire also gets some high-end hardware and fully-adjustable suspension. Moreover, the bike also has a 4.3-inch TFT display that features Bluetooth connectivity. Electronic aids come in the form of a six-axis IMU-assisted ABS and traction-control system, and seven riding modes – Sport, Road, Rain, Range, and three custom ones.

Using a conventional AC wall socket, it reaches full charge quite slowly – 12.5 hours to be precise. However, Harley claims that the DC fast-charging option can do the same in just an hour. On a full charge, the LiveWire is supposedly capable of 235km in the city, 113km on the highway, and an average range of 152km.

Earlier this year, Harley-Davidson also announced the US pricing and pre-order availability for the LiveWire. At $29,799 (about Rs 21 lakh), it’s an expensive motorcycle; more expensive than Harley's entire Touring range. If Harley decides to bring it to India, expect it to cost between Rs 32-35 lakh (ex-showroom, India), which is pricey but the LiveWire is not a bike Harley expects to sell in large numbers. Instead, it is a halo product that marks the bike maker’s entry into the electric two-wheeler space. While the American brand will continue making petrol-powered offerings, electric vehicles are also now a priority and the company has said that there are more affordable versions coming in the future.

]]>Firoze Irani Firoze Irani Harley-Davidson LiveWire unveiled in India2461402461401Tue, 27 Aug 2019 18:52:00 +1000413923Firoze Irani Autocar India staff photograherMon, 1 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +1000LiveWire is supposedly capable of going 235km in the city, 113km on the highway, and is claimed to go an average of 152km on single charge.LiveWire is supposedly capable of going 235km in the city, 113km on the highway, and is claimed to go an average of 152km on single charge.Tue, 27 Aug 2019 18:52:00 +1000https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/harley-davidson-livewire-unveiled-in-india-413923#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Autocar+India+Bikes+500cc-800cc+feed413923BS6 Harley-Davidson Street 750 Limited Edition launched at Rs 5.47 lakh

Earlier today, Harley-Davidson showcased its all-electric LiveWire for the first time in India. However, that wasn’t the only motorcycle at the event, with the manufacturer also launching a limited-edition BS-6 compliant Street 750, at Rs 5.47 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This comes at an increase of Rs 13,000 over the standard BS-4 spec Street 750. The special edition bike celebrates 10 years of Harley Davidson in India, with production limited to 300 units.

The manufacturer is also likely roll out the BS-6 compliant version of the standard bike in the near future, the pricing for which remains to be seen. The limited-edition model sports a unique colour scheme and gets decals on the tank signifying the decade in India. While we await detailed information on what else is new, a representative from Harley has confirmed that the upgrade to BS6 norms doesn’t bring with it a reduction in performance. That means the 749cc liquid-cooled, V-twin, continues to churn out 60Nm of torque.

At the event, Harley also detailed some of its plans for its customers. These include the ‘HOG 10 on 10’ mobile application that connects Harley owners, and there’s a new riding academy on the cards too.

The Street 750 is the first Harley-Davidson to be BS6-compliant but it may not be the first big-bike to do so. Kawasaki tells us that the W800 and Versys 1000 are both BS-6 compliant, which is a little surprising considering that the range sold overseas is still in Euro-4 spec. Very few motorcycles on the interntaional market are currently sold in Euro-5 spec, which is roughly on par with BS-6. Europe begins its shift over to the tighter (and more expensive to achieve) Euro 5 norms for motorcycles in Jan 2020, but existing models have another year before they have to upgrade. In India, the shift to BS-6 is scheduled for April 1, 2020, and as of now the plan is that all motorcycles produced post this date must comply with the new regulations.

Triumph has brought back the Daytona, but this time around it’s called the Daytona Moto2 765 limited edition. As the name suggests, it’s a road-legal limited-run model (just 1,530 units in total) that takes inspiration from the brand’s Moto2 race bike. While it does look similar to the 675 – it even uses the same frame – there are a lot of changes that make it even more track-focused.

The fully-faired supersport is powered by a ‘Moto2-derived’ engine that makes 130hp at 12,250rpm and 80Nm at 9,750rpm. Not only does the 765cc triple make higher figures on this model as compared to the Street Triple RS, but it also does it at a higher rpm. The stronger pistons, new cam profiles, increased compression ratio, among other changes, has allowed for the redline to also increase to 13,250rpm.

What’s more is that the bike also comes fitted with a Moto2-inspired titanium exhaust system and a new gearbox with ‘track optimised’ gear ratios.

The new Daytona also uses top-spec Brembo Stylema brakes and fully-adjustable suspension by Ohlins. Triumph also says that the main frame and swingarm are lighter as they have been anodised instead of being powder-coated. The shortened bolts also save a few more grams. However, the biggest weight-saving is said to have come from the full carbon fibre bodywork. The electronics package consists of five riding modes, all of which are adjustable.

At GBP 15,765 (about Rs 13.90 lakh), the Daytona is as expensive as some Japanese litre-class superbikes, but it makes up for it with its top-drawer equipment.

This has not been a typical new model effort from Triumph. Instead this bike was a special project built by a small team within the company. As the visual elements and the base frame remain the same, it could suggest that this might be the last of the Daytonas as we know of them. We hope that’s not the case, but if so, this bike makes for a fantastic last hurrah. It isn’t clear at the moment whether any units of the bike will make it to India.

Ever since the 790 Duke made its debut at EICMA 2017, enthusiasts in India were waiting for its India launch. It has been a long time coming, but we’ve received unofficial word that the launch is slated for September 5, 2019. We have also received word that the upcoming middleweight sport-naked will have an ex-showroom price of around Rs 8.5 lakh, and an on-road price around the Rs 10.5 lakh-mark in Mumbai.

The new images we have received confirm a number of India-spec details – the model spied is equipped with sari and engine guards.

This means the KTM 790 Duke is not going to be competitively priced like the company’s other offerings in India. However, there is good reason for this – unlike the lower-capacity models, this one is imported from Austria and only assembled here. That’s not all though: We have also been told that the engine enters India fully-assembled. The initial lot of bikes are expected to be BS4-spec.

During this year, we have received varying news about 790 Duke making its way to India. The bike was spotted back in February 2019, at what appeared to be the Bajaj training facility, but little else has been revealed since. Dealers in India begun accepting bookings for the motorcycle a while ago, for an amount of Rs 30,000, and had also then suggested that the sport-naked will have an ex-showroom price of around Rs 7.5-8 lakh.

The 790 Duke is already on sale in international markets and is powered by a 799cc, parallel-twin engine that makes 105hp and 86Nm of peak torque. With a dry weight of 174kg, the sport-naked motorcycle is one of the lightest bikes in its class, second only to the Triumph Street Triple. The stressed-member engine is one of the aspects contributing to its light weight. The 790 Duke is also equipped with a 43mm, non-adjustable USD fork and a pre-load monoshock, both sourced from WP.

Other features on offer include a full-TFT display and the most comprehensive electronic safety package in the segment, which includes Bosch Cornering ABS with a disengageable Supermoto mode, lean-angle-sensing traction control, launch control, a bi-directional quickshifter and four riding modes (including a customisable Track mode).

At Rs 8.5 lakh, the 790 Duke is a little more expensive than we expected it to be. It’s significantly more expensive than the Suzuki GSX-S750 (Rs 7.46 lakh) and the Kawasaki Z900 (Rs 7.69 lakh), but below direct European rivals such as the Street Triple S (Rs 9.19 lakh) and the Ducati Monster 821 (Rs 10.99 lakh).

Earlier this year, Harley-Davidson also announced the US pricing and pre-order availability for the LiveWire. At $29,799 (about Rs 21 lakh), it’s an expensive motorcycle; more expensive than Harley's entire Touring range. If Harley decides to bring it to India, expect it to cost between Rs 32-35 lakh (ex-showroom, India), which is pricey but the LiveWire is not a bike Harley expects to sell in large numbers. It is instead a halo product that marks the bike maker’s entry into the electric two-wheeler space. While the American brand will continue making petrol-powered offering, electric vehicles are also now a priority and the company has said that there are more affordable versions coming in the future.

To recap, the LiveWire produces 105hp and 116Nm of torque, which propels the bike to 100kph in a claimed 3sec. Harley-Davidson has equipped the LiveWire with a Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS). It is, essentially, a battery system more commonly seen on hybrid-electric vehicles; on this motorcycle, it has a 15.5kWh capacity (of which 13.6kWh is usable). Using a conventional AC wall socket, it reaches full charge at a snail's pace – 12.5hr to be precise. However, Harley claims that the DC fast-charging option can do it in just an hour. On a full charge, the LiveWire is supposedly capable of 235km in the city, 113km on the highway, and has an overall efficiency of 152km.

The LiveWire also gets some high-end hardware and fully-adjustable suspension. Moreover, the bike also has a 4.3-inch TFT display that features Bluetooth connectivity. Other electronic aids come in the form of a six-axis IMU-assisted ABS and traction-control system, and seven riding modes – Sport, Road, Rain, Range, and three custom modes.

Royal Enfield is set to increase prices of its 650 Twins – the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 – by 2 percent, post September 1, 2019.

This will result in a Rs 5,012 increase on the base colour schemes of the Interceptor 650 that currently retails at Rs 2.50 lakh, while its most expensive colour scheme (priced at 2.70 lakh) will see a hike of Rs 5,400.

Meanwhile there will be a Rs 5,312 hike on the base colour schemes for the original Rs 2.65 lakh price tag of the Continental GT 650. The hike will go as high as Rs 5,700 for this bike, the most expensive colour scheme of which costs Rs 2.85 lakh.

The 650 Twins are currently two of the most affordable twin-cylinder motorcycles on sale in the country, and the price hike will certainly not have an effect on that title. The two motorcycles are powered by a 648cc parallel-twin motor that produces 47hp at 7,250rpm and 52Nm at 5,250rpm. Since their launch at the end of 2018, both models have become two of the manufacturer’s most popular motorcycles.

]]>Vishal Venugopal Vishal Venugopal Royal Enfield 650 Twins' prices to increase by upwards of Rs 5,0002461402461401Fri, 16 Aug 2019 18:03:00 +1000413817Vishal Venugopal Autocar India staff photograherMon, 1 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +1000The hike of 2 percent will come into effect on September 1, 2019; could be as high as Rs 5,400 for the Interceptor 650 and Rs 5,700 for the Continental GT 650.The hike of 2 percent will come into effect on September 1, 2019; could be as high as Rs 5,400 for the Interceptor 650 and Rs 5,700 for the Continental GT 650.Fri, 16 Aug 2019 18:03:00 +1000https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/royal-enfield-650-twins-prices-to-increase-by-upwards-of-rs-5000-413817#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Autocar+India+Bikes+500cc-800cc+feed413817KTM India dealerships set for an upgrade

KTM has initiated plans to upgrade its showrooms in India to accommodate its upcoming premium models. The showrooms are set to get larger, more premium and ready to offer a better customer experience. They will get changes to the interior and exterior to accommodate and sell KTM’s upcoming models.

In addition to the current line-up, the redesigned stores will have KTM’s upcoming 790 Duke, 390 Adventure, and Husqvarna’s Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401. While the 790 Duke is already on sale in global markets, it has only been spotted once in India. At present, it is not known how competitively it will be priced in India as we aren’t aware of how heavily it will be localised, if at all. As for the 390 Adventure, it is expected to share a lot of components with the 390 Duke and be manufactured in India as well. Pricing will most certainly be mouthwatering, but higher than that of the 390 Duke. The Husqvarnas, meanwhile, share mechanical components with the KTM 390 Duke as well, powered by the same 373cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor mated to a 6-speed gearbox. However, both models are expected to be positioned as more premium offerings, with price tags to match.

As a result, all of these models will be priced above KTM India’s current flagship, the 390 Duke, which is why it is no surprise that KTM is redoing its showrooms. Bajaj is also looking to make its KTM showrooms the hotspot of performance bikes in India, offering a wide range of products. We could see them achieve this ambitious goal as the company already has a number of touch points across the country.

However, not all KTM showrooms will get the chance to sell these models, as many of them are quite small at the moment. They will either need to be made bigger or shift into a different space. The redesigned showrooms will feature changes like a different sign board that includes Husqvarna branding, redesigned interiors and more.

It will be interesting to see if the new showrooms and improved customer experience from KTM will be on par with other sports bike companies in India.

Royal Enfield has been working on updating its current portfolio to comply with the upcoming BS6 norms. Test mules of what look like the next-generation Classic and Thunderbird models have been spotted on multiple occasions; and now pictures of what is likely the updated Contintental GT 650 have surfaced online, as well.

The images don’t reveal the front end and engine but it’s likely that it hasn’t undergone as substantial an update as the other bikes spotted testing. Understandably so, considering that the 650 Twins are Royal Enfield’s latest platform and the manufacturer will have considered the eventual switch to BS6 during its development process. The only noticeable differences from the pictures are a different exhaust-end, and a cowl cover on the pillion seat (which may be an accessory).

Apart from the aforementioned components, there isn’t anything that distinguishes the test mule from the Continental GT 650 that’s currently on sale. Royal Enfield will also be updating the Interceptor 650 and it remains to be seen what changes that motorcycle will feature.